Johnny Ace

Johnny Ace (born June 9, 1929, Memphis, Tennessee, USA - died December 25, 1954, Houston, Texas, USA) was an American R&B singer and pianist who had a number of hit singles in the early 1950's. Before going solo, he worked with the B.B. King band, then formed The Beale Streeters with Bobby Bland and Earl Forest. He died of an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound while playing Russian Roulette. He was the most programmed R&B artist of 1954 according to a Cash Box "Disc Jockeys of America" poll. He had 13 consecutive hits. He won the Citation of Achievement Award from BMI in 1954 and 1955. He won Billboard's Triple Crown Award in 1955. He won the Automatic Music Industry of America award in 1955. He won the Golden Cup Award in 1954.